Driving to Italy. Anyone stayed near the St Gotthard tunnel?

[Portofino]

Looking for a decent overnight spot. God the roads look a bit scary! Anyone done this?

We stayed in Lugano once in a generic hotel that was nice enough (I can't remember the name, sorry!) and in Como (if that's not too far) there's a lovely hotel on the lake. I'll look it up if that's the right direction!

Como might be a bit far....We will stop for a few days on the way back. I think we need to stop somewhere near Lucerne or a bit further south....Getting to Italy might be a step too far as i hate too long in the car.

It was the Hotel Metropole Suisse - BEWARE: THAT SITE HAS MUSIC. (sorry)

Driving through the tunnel is fine. It's once you hit Milan that traffic gets crazy.

Oops, crossposted. I don't know where to stay in Lucerne, but the transport museum is good!

We drove through the Gotthard last year on our way to Venice. The traffic jams were awful and we arrived at the tunnel around 6am. Dpending on the time of year, I'd consider the pass, it's a lovely curly winding road with fabulous views although if you are nervous about cliffs in general, I'd probably avoid it.
As for a hotel, I would consider Pickwicks pub, it is central and relatively cheap (for Switzerland)

Thanks Kreecher. I'll revisit the route maybe. I'd like to get the other side of Gotthard before stopping, but it will be the evening. I dread the thought of getting stuck in traffic when we're knackered and fed up.

Ooh - stay at the Schweizerhof in Lucerne, it's lovely! We spent a couple of nights there on our honeymoon.

Alibaba, you need to take out a mortgage to have a cup of tea there. We were given a special offer voucher for a night for two. 440 francs plus, plus an extra 35 each for breakfast.

When is your trip, could you go over the pass as an alternative ?

The drive over the Gotthard takes a very long time! Lugano is probably your best bet for stopping overnight. Alternatively, there is a hotel at Bellinzona services on the A2 - I think it may be movenpick (reaonable prices by swiss standards) I'm sure you will find it if you google movenpick.

Also, there is a services just before the Gotthard, but I don't remember whether it has a hotel.

Pass is quicker than a 15km tailback though ! Fantastic views and you could stop in Andermatt.

I think I spotted a nice place at Andermatt. I'll see what googlemaps says if I vary the route. I HATE sitting in traffic.

Mind you we're booked 3 nights at Lake Como and 4 nights at Brienz on the way back, so we won't be able to avoid it coming the other way I guess, but we won't have so much ground to cover that day.

If only I could persuade dh to leave a day earlier. We will travel on 12th July. he is refusing to leave home before the world cup is finished. Even though the final will be on EVERYWHERE!

Are the roads scary over the pass LIZS. I am scared of heights and hoping to keep vertiginous roads to a minimum. I should probably avoid going to Switzerland entirely I know....

I wouldn't say overly scary - once you've climbed up the windy road either side it is rocky rather than vertigious.